AllMovie

Sound editor Ben Burtt has played a crucial role in creating the magical ambiance of George Lucas' classic sci-fi fantasy adventure series Star Wars and Indiana Jones; it was he who created the "voices" for R2D2, Chewbacca and E.T. In addition to his brilliant work with Lucas, Burtt has also worked on numerous other fantasy films during the '70s and '80s. Among his best are Kaufman's remake of Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978) and Steven Spielberg's Always (1989). Prior to coming to films, he studied physics at Allegheny College, PA, and film production at USC. During the latter part of the '80s, he began working as a television writer, editor, and second-unit director for assorted Lucasfilm projects.